Electrical condenser



Sept. 20, 1932. P. E. GILLING 1,878,631

ELECTRICAL CONDENSER Filed May 20, 1929 ill INVENTOR PRESTON E. GILL/N6A TTOR/VE Y Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESTONE. GILLING, OF HADDON HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO RADIO CONDENSERCOMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY ELECTRICAL CONDENSER Application filedMay 20,

rality of groups of stator plates carried on a' common framework, and aplurality of groups of rotor plates carried on a common shaft supportedby the frame, so that the respective rotors function with theirrespective stator plates.

In the construction of such a gang condenser, means have been proposed,in the shape of an adjustable Vernier, for equalizing the capacityfactor of each condenser unit so as to get capacity curves from theseunits which are substantially identical. I have found by experience,that such an arrangement is not the proper one and does not solve theproblem encountered in a hook-up of such a gang condenser. Due to thevariations in the manufacture of such a gang condenser and also due tothe differences in the tuning coils with which the condensers areassociated, and the connections between the coils and the condensers inthe radio set, the tuning condensers should be so constructed as to givewhat I term a rubber band curve; that is to say, a. capacity curve whichmay increase or decrease over certain sectors of the rotor In order tocompensate for the discrepancies above pointed out at different parts ofthe capacity curve. It naturally follows from what has just been said,that the capacity of the different condensers should differ one from theother, at different settings, in order to compensate for the differencesabove indicated.

It is also essential that each condenser unit be provided with meanswhereby a certain definite minimum capacity may be attained suitable tomeet the requirements of the cir- 1929. Serial No. 364,392.

cuit in which'the condenser unit is used. These minimum capacities mayor may not be equal, depending on the different variables entering intothe construction of a radio receiving set. i

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide acondenserand when I say a condenser, I mean an individual unit of a gangcondenserin which means areprovided for adjusting the minimum capacityto a desired amount, and also. the provision of a condenser in which thecapacity curve of the condenser may be automatically and continuouslyvaried at diflerent capacity positions of the movable system.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensiveconstruction for obtaining the principal objects of my invention.

These and other objects will be apparent to one skilled in this artafter a study of the specification taken in connection with the annexeddrawing, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates on a reduced scale, a

four-gang condenser of the type and general construction shown in Cramerapplication S. N. 361,943, filed May 10, 1929. Figure 2 is a View on theline 22 of Figure 1, but with the rotors turned to the out position;that is to say, to the position where the minimum capacity is obtained.

Figure 3 is a view of a modified form of rotorplate suitable for use inplace of the rotor plate shownin Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a View of a still further modilied form of rotor plate.

Figure 5 is a partial view of an individual form of curve correctingplate.

F igure6 is a plan view showing the method of mounting the curvecorrecting plate of Figure 5.

, In the drawing wherein like figures refer to corresponding parts inthe various views, 1 is a framework having end support plates 2 and 3,and braces-11. The shaft 4 is carried on the end support plates 2 and 3on anti-friction bearings 5 and 6. The stator groups of plates 7, onlythe outer two of which are shown in Figure 1, are mounted on the frame 1by means of insulators 12 and 13, the opposite ends of the stator platesbeing fastened together by tie bars 14. As shown in Figure 2, theinsulators 12 and 13 extend through openings 15 in the side walls of theframe 1 and are held to the frame 1 in any satisfactory manner as byscrews 16,

and to the tie bars 14 in any satisfactory mannor as by screws 17.

The rotor groups of plates 8, of which only the outer two of eachcondenser are illustrated in Figure 1, are carried on a sleeve 9fastened to the shaft l in any satisfactory manner as screws 10. It willbe readily understood that on turning the shaft 4, all of the groups ofrotor plates carried by the shaft 4, are operated simultaneously tofunction with their respective stators.

My improvements, which are directed to means for obtainingcompensation'and minimum capacity, are illustrated in Figure 2, whereinat least one of the outer rot-or plates 8 is provided with a projection18 which may be of any desired shape, but which preferably extends intooverlapping relationship with the adjacent stator plate 7. Theprojection 18 may be bent toward or away from the stator plate 7, but Iprefer to provide a portion which is severed along the line 19, exceptfor a small space 20 near the outer pe riphery 21 of the plate 8,thereby allowing the portion 20 to be plucked or bent outwardly orinwardly, away or toward the stator plate 7. This construction allows avery simple and inexpensive and positive way of obtaining a certainfixed minimum capacity, and the minimum capacity of the variouscondenser units may be adjusted to suit conditions.

In order to get an automatic and continuously varying capacity of thecondenser, other portions 22 are similarly arranged in the plate 8,whereby these portions may be shifted to increase or decrease thecapacity a small amount when these sectors are brought into cooperativecapacity relationship with the stator. By adopting the constructionshown, I have left the outer .rim or edge of the stator plate 8continuous, whereby greater rigidity is obtained than in theconstructions that have been proposed, whereby the outer stator plate isslitted from its periphery toward the center. I have found that thisretaining rim is highly essential to getting more accurate results, anda much more satisfactory condenser is obtained by this arrangement.

In passing, it may be mentioned that either one or both of the outerplates 8 of each rotor group may be constructed as shown in Figure 2, itbeing understood that all of the rotor plates are held together at leaston one side by a tie bar such as 23. It is also to be understood thatthe outer rotor plates of each condenser, which are speciallyconstructed, may be of somewhatlarger area than the Other rotor plates,in order that the adjustable portions 22 may be made somewhat largerthan is illustrated, the only requirement being that these plates willnot touch the frame 1 as the rotor shaft is turned.

The stator plates 7 which are adjacent the outer rotor plates of eachcondenser, may if desired, have an extension 24 shown in dotted lines inFigure 2, which functions with the projection 18 when the rotor isturned into full operative position, thereby obtaining a little morecapacity from the condensers.

In the form of rotor plate shown in F igure 3, the portions 25 areformed in a somewhat similar manner as the portions 22 shown in Figure2, but instead of being positioned radially, they are positionedarcuately, the portions being severed from the main body of the plates 8along the line 19, leaving the uncutportion 20 supporting the portions25.

In Figure 4, the rotor plate 8, is provided with a double set ofshiftable portions 22 and.

26, the latter being arranged within the periphery of the former.

In Figures 5 and 6, I have shown a separate curve-correcting rotor platewhich is adapted to be mounted as an independent member on the shaft 4or sleeve 9 which carries the standard group of rotor plates. In theform shown, the plates 27 is attached to a collar or clamp member 28which with the clamp 29 and screws 30, serve to clamp the plate 27 on toone end of the rotor sleeve 9 adjacent the rotor plates 8. The size ofthe clamps 28 and 29 may be varied whereby the curve-correcting plate 27may be applied to the shaft or to the sleeve and to condensers alreadyin, use. The clamp construction shown, makes it easy to present theplate 27, within limits, at any desired angle and at a. desired spacefrom the rotor plates in order to obtain the best results.

It is thus seen that my improvements are susceptible of being applied indifferent forms, and while I have chosen to show my invention inconnection with a gang condenser for which construction it is especiallysuited, it may be used with a single individual condenser and certain ofthe claims are intended to cover both arrangements. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: w

1. In a gang condenser including; a frame supporting a plurality ofgroups of stator plates and a shaft carrying a plurality of groupsof'rotor plates; means for providing a desired minimum capacity forreach individual condenser, and means comprising a plate having acontinuous unsevered periphery and adjustable partially-severed portionsfor automatically obtaining a different capacity from each of saidcondenres for any given arcuate position of the rotor shaft.

2. In a gang condenser including; a frame supporting a plurality ofgroups of stator plates and a shaft carrying a plurality of groups ofrotor plates; means for providing 'position of the rotor shaft, saidfirst mentioned means consisting of a projection on the starting end ofat least one of the outer rotor plates extending toward its associatedstator group, said second mentioned means consistmg of portions severed,except for a small {space adjacent the periphery of the plate,

from at least one of the outer rotor plates.

3. In a gang condenser including; a frame supporting a plurality ofgroups of stator plates and a shaft carrying a plurality of groups ofrotor plates; means for providing a desired minimum capacity for eachindividual condenser, and means for automatically obtaining a differentcapacity from each of said condensers for any given arcuate position ofthe rotor shaft, said first mentioned means consisting of a projectionon the starting end of at least one of the outer rotor plates extendingtoward its associated stator group, said projection having a portionsevered so it may be readily displaced from the plane of the projection,said second mentioned means consisting of portions severed, except for asmall space adjacent the periphery of the plate, from at least one ofthe outer rotor-plates.

4. In an electrical condenser including stator and rotor elementscapable of producing a certain capacity curve, a plate capacitativelyassociated with one of the condenser elements and having portionsseveredfrom the plate, except for a small space,so as to leave integral partsof the plate between said portions, said portions being adjustable foraltering said curve automaticall and continuously as the rotor is"operate 5. In an electrical condenser including stator and rotorelements capable of producing a certain capacity curve, at least one ofthe outer rotor plates having portions severed from the plate, exceptfor a small space, so as to leave integral parts of the plate betweensaid portions, said portions being adjustable for altering said curveautomatically and continuously as the rotor is operated.

6. In a variable condenser including plates relatively movable intodifi'erent overlapping relationship to change the capacity of thecondenser, one of said plates having portions which may be bent in adirection to change the capacity of the condenser without changing theamount of overlap between the plates, said portions being spaced-fromeach other by integral parts of the plate and also being spaced from theperipheral edge of the plate.

7 A variable condenser including a fixed section made up of spacedplates and a movable section made up of spaced plates adapted to beinterleaved with the plates of the fixed section to vary the capacity ofthe condenser, and means comprising a plurality of adjustable portionsof at least one of the outer plates of one of said sections forautomatically and continuously effecting variations in the capacity ofthe condenser, said portions being spaced from each other by integralparts of the plate and also being spaced from the peripheral edge of theplate.

8. In a variable condenser including plates relatively movable int-odifferent overlapping relationship to change the capacity of thecondenser, one of said plates having a projection extending toward aplate of opposite kind, whereby a desired minimum capacity is obtainedwhen the sets of plates are in nonoverlapping position, and also havingportions which may be bent in a direction to change the capacity of thecondenser without changing the amount of overlap between the plates,said portions being spaced from each other by integral parts of theplate and also being spaced from the peripheral edge of the plate.

9. In a gang condenser including separate groups of plates, each grouphaving plates relatively movable into diiterent overlapping relationshipto change the capacity of the condenser, at least one of the plates ofeachgroup having a projection extending toward a cooperating plate ofopposite polarity, whereby a desired minimum capacity is obtained whenthe groups of plates are in non-overlapping position, and also havingportions which may be bent in a direction to i change the capacity ofthe condenser without changing the amount of overlap between plates,said portions being spaced from each other by integral parts of theplate and also being spaced from the peripheral edge of the late. p 10.A variable condenser including a fixed section made up of spaced platesand a movable section made up of spaced plates adapted to be interleavedwith the plates of the fixed section to vary the capacity of thecondenser, and means comprising a plurality of adjustable portions of atleast one of the outer plates of one of said sections for automaticallyand continuously effecting variations in the capacity of the condenser,said portions being spaced from each other by integral arts of the plateand also being spaced rom the peripheral edge of the plate, and furthermeans comprising a projection on the leading end of at least one of theplates adjustable portions of at least one of the outer plates of one ofsaid sections for auto: matically and continuously effecting variationsin the capacity of the condenser, said portions being spaced from eachother by' integral parts of the plate and also being spaced from theperipheral edge of the plate, and further means comprisinga projectiononthe leading end of at least one of the plates of the movable sectionfor obtaining a desired minimum capacity, and still further means,comprising a projection on at least one of the plates of the fixedsection, for utilizing the projection on the'plate of the movablesection in cooperation to add to the capacity of the condenser atmaximum capacity setting thereof.

12. For an electrical condenser including cooperative fixed and movableelementscapable of producing a certain capacity curve, a curvecorrecting plate independently constructed similar to one of saidelements and having separate mounting means for attaching the plate to apart of the movable elements to move therewith, said plate havingportions spaced from each other by integral parts of the plate and alsobeing spaced from the peripheral edge of the plate which may be adjustedfor automatically and continuously efi'ecting variations in the capacityof the condenser.

13. For an electrical condenser including cooperative fixed and movableelements capable of producing a certain capacity curve, a curvecorrecting plate independently constructed similar to one of saidelements and less than 360 in arcuate length and having mounting meansfor quickly attaching the plate to a part of the movable element at adesired arcuate angle and at a desired laterally spaced distance withinlimits.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

PRESTON E. GILLING.

